| ISLAND OF DEATH by Barry Letts |
| Story ? Synopsis: UNIT are informed of two dead bodies found on Hampstead Heath. The Doctor is soon on the case, linking the deaths to a mysterious new cult, Skang. Jeremy joins up, and Sarah tries to get the scoop. The Skang followers decamp to a mysterious Pacific island awaiting a big ceremony. The Brigadier is only able to take command of the HMS Hallaton, with the Doctor and Sarah Jane along too. They arrive at the island, and find a demi-paradise. The Doctor is suspicious, though, and soon sees the truth behind the illusion. But the Skangs are strong, and the Brigadier's attack is delayed. The Doctor is unable to prevent the Great Skang being summoned, and finding humankind unworthy. But he is able to send the Skangs into time loops, freeing Earth from their evil. |
| Review:- In 1999, Lawrence Miles caused consternation with his story, Interference, which started a saga about changing history, and Season 11 was thrown off course. Barry Letts has arguably done similar things to Season 11, but to less complaint. Here, he follows on from his two radio plays, The Paradise Of Death and The Ghosts Of N-Space, to suggest that Sarah wasn't really a close companion of the Doctor, and he was more attached to UNIT than had appeared to be the case. Whether this is as upsetting as knackering a regeneration is of course a matter of personal taste. As to the story - well, it's another go at religion, isn't it? The Skangs are powerful aliens who offer hope to deluded humans in return for their existence at the expense of the humans. Fortunately, perhaps, this aspect is alluded to through the course of the story, before becoming more crucial towards the end of the book. The idea of a select band of people who have dropped from society to pursue dreams of bettering themselves means this story fits in well with a season that already contains Invasion Of The Dinosaurs and Planet Of The Spiders. Most of the book seems like a prolonged travelogue, from London down to Bombay, then on to Stella Island. This gives a certain sense of disconnection, but also keeps the reader occupied with what is to come, as Brother Alex attempts to kill Sarah, in the misguided belief that she knows what's going on. This is a more involving sub-plot than Hogben the itinerant Captain. The action on Stella Island is fairly simple. The initial masquerade goes deeper than may be suspected (then again, I was impressed enough with the magic juice to wonder at other tricks), and even with the conclusion hurtling onwards, there is still time for shenanigans with the ship. The Doctor seems to be pushed quite hard here, whether rock climbing or convincing the alien Hilda to see reason. His final saving of the day is regrettably too opaque to make the reader care, as the Doctor simply messes about with some tech and zaps the Skangs through time. Overall, it's a pleasantly readable book that tries to pose intriguing questions to the reader, but can't quite handle all its thoughts properly. The end, though, where the ungrateful Jeremy can't understand why he was lucky to get nothing, is at least a strong note to finish with. |
| Disclaimer: I own a copy of this book. |